Kenneth Branagh trades Bard for crime novel

Published 8:00 pm, Saturday, May 9, 2009

Kenneth Branagh, the actor/director/producer probably best known for his Shakespeare productions including "Henry V," "Hamlet" and "Much Ado About Nothing," is conquering a new icon.

In a three-part Masterpiece Mystery! series that debuts tonight at 9 p.m. on PBS, Branagh morphs into the role of detective Kurt Wallander from Henning Mankell's Swedish crime novel series.

"The great melancholy Dane is now a great melancholy Swede," said Carol Olsen Day, of the New York Times, who introduced Branagh. "As soon as you see him in the first episode, you will be hooked by his Wallander."

Branagh, 48, was in New York last week for the American premiere screening and discussion of the series Wednesday and a Times Talk on Thursday, where New York Times reporter William Carter called Branagh "one of the greatest stage actors of our generation."

Branagh, who optioned the English television rights to the series, joked that he has more in common with his new character than age as he donned a pair of black reading glasses, quipping, "He wears glasses and now I wear glasses," though the similarities don't include looking haggard, being sleep deprived or being somewhat emotional unstable.

"I actually think that he is not a depressive or depressed man, but he has a capability for deep introspection born out of his job. Painful as it is, he doesn't want to be familiar or casual with his response to this experience," Branagh said of his character. "Given the nature of the crimes, that obviously doesn't allow too much room for sunshine. He hasn't found his golf. He needs a way to wash that man right out of his hair at the end of the day.

"He's the antithesis of the hard-boiled detective; he's so soft-boiled. There's a weird kind of innocence about him. He's always going to be a beat behind the band. There is something sweet about it, but it's also very pathetic," he said. "He exhibits a stubbornness, a resilience, a doggedness."

A fan of the novels, Branagh had read all the books before optioning them.

"I read them just for pleasure. I like crime fiction," he said, adding he also enjoyed working in Sweden, where the production was shot. "I like this part of the world. I worked on Hamlet for quite a few years."

He recounted the tale of his team tracking down the house in Sweden that shares the same address as the title character. The current owner was none too pleased.

"Literally, your hand is on the knocker and he goes 'No. No, he doesn't live here. You're not shooting here. I don't care if it is the same address,'" Branagh said, adding they were turned away just like the busses of German tourists.

The three feature-length adaptations originally debuted on the BBC in mid-2008.

"One of the things we were concerned about is that the pace of this film is slower. It's not very flashing and swift editing," he said. "We were most surprised that was one of the things people commented on."

The series recently won a BAFTA TV award and Branagh was awarded best actor at the 35th Broadcasting Press Guild Television and Radio Awards.

"That was a huge thrill for us; we were staggered," he said.

Branagh is no stranger to awards, garnering four Oscar nominations as well as more than 20 other prestigious awards and nominations including Emmys, Golden Globes and a Golden Quill.

Known as a Shakespearean and stage actor, Branagh was introduced to acting through a "forced volunteer" part in a school production when he was in his mid teens.

"There were girls and there was a change to show off," he recalled. "What was thunderously illuminating was that someone said I can do this for a living. I thought this was just for fun; no one would pay me for this."

Branagh was only 27 when he directed and starred in the Oscar-nominated "Henry V."

"Ignorance was bliss," he joked. "We felt very strongly and passionate about doing it. Everyone in that film was there for the reading. I looked around and thought there were about six Henry Vs here. There were a couple of moments I thought I am so excited I don't know if I can do this."

Branagh downplays the notion that he helps make Shakespeare accessible, saying, "You don't need me to do that," but he does firmly believe that Shakespeare does need to be performed.

He likened it to when you were a student and you were told it was brilliant "and it would be a joy and good for you and then you read it aloud in school and it was none of those things. It was like walking through treacle.

"Shakespeare is so illusive and therefore one of the reasons he is performed so diversely," he said. "Productions are characterized by the passion of the producer."

Branagh, who finished up a run in London's West End revival of Anton Chekhov's "Ivanov" at the end of last year, said he's not done with theater.

"I love the live experience. That live event is a very seductive thing and I can't image being away from it for a long time," he said, but added time does slip away with filming.

He will begin shooting three more films in the Wallander series for PBS this summer. He will be appearing on the big screen in "the Boat That Rocked" (which will be released in the U.S. in August) and taking the position behind the camera as director of the upcoming "Thor" movie.

"It's a work in progress," Branagh said of "Thor," adding he has been immersed in Norse mythology and all the Marvel comics. "We're trying to honor both these sources."

But Branagh is not through with Shakespeare yet, saying possibly "King Lear" and "the Scottish play" are in the mix.

"I really do feel so grateful that I'm here," he said. "To still be doing this, that's a marvelous thing."